Agricultural implement



Sept. 3, 1946.

J. MORKOSKL AGRiCUL'IIURAL IMPLEMENT Original Filed June 28, 1945 H 2Sheets- Sheet 1 V I o v O u 1/ 0/ A ll Sep t. 3,1946. ORK SKI 2,407,173

f I I AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT 7 Original Filed Jul 19 28, 1943 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 3, 1946 AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT JamesMorkoskl, Canton, 11L, assignor to Inter:

national Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Originalapplication June 28, 1943, .Serial N 0. M 492,476. Divided and thisapplication Novemher- 29, 1944, Serial No. 565,623

. 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to agricultural implements, and more particularlyto implements of the trailing type adapted for attachment to a tractoror other vehicle to be drawn therebehind. More specifically theinvention is concerned with a hitch structure for plows and the like. i

The present invention will be described as appliedto a trail-behindtwo-way plow. However, it should be understood that with slightmodifications the invention may be adapted for use with otherimplements. The invention is particularly applicable to plows such asthat shown and described in pending United States appiication of John R.Orelind and James Morkoski, Serial No. 492,476, filed June 28, 1943, ofwhich this application is a division. In a plow of this type, the beamsare generally supported between front and rear ends thereof by laterallyspaced wheels, and the plow is pivotally connected to a relatively long'hitch frame which, in turn, is pivotally connected to the tractor bywhich the implement is drawn.

In a plow of the type described, the line of draft is a theoreticalstraight line extending from the center of gravity of the working plowbottom to the point 'of attachment of the implement to the tractor.Since the point of attachment of the hitch frame to the implement mustbe slightly above this point in order to prevent the collection of trashnear the ground, the rear of the plow has a tendency to rise out of theground and the implement to. pivot forwardly.

An object of the present invention is to provide means incorporated inthe hitch and plow structur for overcoming the tendency of the implementto pivot forwardly.

Another object is to provide means which not only inhibit the forwardpivoting of the plow and the consequent tendency of the working tools orplow bottoms to rise out of the ground, but which resiliently hold theplow bottom or bottoms to their work during operation, and also preventforward tilting of the implement when backing up, particularly intransport position.

These and other objects will become clear from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a twoway plow embodying theprinciples of the present invention, attached to a tractor, and showingthe left-hand plow bottom in raised position;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the plow shown in Figure 1; and

. 2 Figure 3 is a detail in sideelevation of a part of the hitchstructure.

Referring to the drawings, the two-way plow shown in the drawingsincludes a pair of plow units l0 and H, each comprising a,longitudinally extending beam |2 having mounted upon the rear endthereof a plow bottom l3. Beams |2 are mounted for rocking movement uponthe transverse portion I4 of a crank axle having rearwardly extendingarms I5 supporting ground wheels l6. Each wheel has associated therewitha power lift mechanism I! by means of which power from the ground wheelis utilized to raise and lower each plow beam l2 independently.

Generally parallel to each beam and extending longitudinally thereof fora considerable distance is a bracket l8 having an inwardly bent end I!)attached to the outer face of the beam. The forward end of the bracketI8 is made fast to the beam by a U-shaped member 29 affixed to thebracket and the beam. The free forward ends of, beam I2 and bracket I8are connected by a bolt 2| having nuts 22 upon the outer ends thereof,Depending from bolt 2| and pivotally mounted thereupon is a member 23comprising a sleeve portion 24 and a bracing arm 25 provided with bosses26 and 21 having openings for the reception of bolt 2|, and abuttingbeam l2 and bracket l8, respectively, to prevent lateral movement ofmember 23. Sleeve 24 receives for sliding movement therein a shaft '28,.which may be telescoped with respect to the sleeve to vary the effectivelength of member 23, and may be held in a number of adjusted positionsby a set screw 29.

Members 23 have independent forward and rearward pivotal movement topermit the working plow bottom to assume its proper plowing positionwith respect to the rear wheels of the tractor, depending upon thedirection of travel of the plow across the field, and are actuated by amechanism which, along with the details of construction of the plowunits, forms no part of the present invention. For operational andconstructional details of the plow reference may be had to pendingUnited States application Serial No. 492,476, referred to hereinabove.

The lower end of each shaft 28 is flattened and apertured to receive apin 3|], upon which is mounted for vertical pivotal movement the bifurcated rear end of a hitch member 3 I, forming one arm of a hitch framegenerally indicated at 32. Hitch members 3| converge forwardly and areprovided at their forward ends with bent portions 33 and 34, overlappingand having registering openings to receive for sliding movement arearwardly extending rod 35, surrounded by a spring 36. The forward endof spring 36 abuts against a clevis 31 and the rear end against nuts 38by which the tension upon the spring may be varied. The forwardlyprojecting end of rod 35 is affixed to the closed end of a clevis 39provided with a pin 40 for attachment to the draw-bar M of a tractorhaving rear wheels 42. Spring 36 imparts flexibility to the hitchconnection of the implement to the tractor.

As pointed out before, a plow of the type described has a tendency topivot forwardly about its connection to the transverse portion I4 of thecrank axle. To overcome this tendency, mechanism has been providedincluding a hitch member 46, adjustable in length, and comprising asleeve 41 attached to the clevis 31 on the forward end of the hitchframe 32, and a shaft 48 pivoted on a pin 49 in one arm 50 of abell-crank (see Figures 1 and 3). The bell-crank is pivoted upon a pin52 mounted in a bracket 53 aiiixed to the transverse portion I4 of thecrankaxle between the plow units Ill and I I. Hitch member 46 is maderigid by set-screws 54. The other arm 55 of the bell-crank is providedwith forwardly bent lugs adapted to receive a pin 56 for pivotallymounting the threaded end of an eye bolt 51. Eye bolt 5'! extendsrearwardly and is connected to a cross-piece 58 extending laterally andhaving openings in each end for the attachment thereto of springs 59,the other ends of which are attached to lugs 60 secured to the sides ofbeams I2. It will be noted that clockwise movement of the bell-crank 5Iis limited by the projecting ends of pin 53, which abut against theforward edge of bracket 53. By loosening setscrews 54, the effectivelength of hitch member 46 may be varied. When the implement is in theplowing position shown in Figures 1 and 2,- and forward draft is exertedthereupon, hitch member 46, through bell-crank 5I and springs 59, exertsa yielding downward pressure against the rear end of the implement tohold it in the ground. When the plow elements are lifted to raisedposition for transport, the effective length of member 46 may beshortened to prevent the rear end of the implement from droppingdownwardly. When it is desired to back up the plow in transportposition, hitch member 46 functions to prevent forward tilting of theimplement.

Having described the invention, it should be understood thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spiritthereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

- 1. In an agricultural implement adapted for attachment to a tractor,in combination, supporting wheels on the implement, hitch means on theimplement, a member pivoted on the implement for longitudinal rockingmovement, means adjustable in length rigidly connecting said hitch meansand said member for rocking movement therewith, and means biasing saidmember to forward rocking movement.

2. In an agricultural implement adapted for attachment to a tractor, incombination, supporting wheels on the implement, hitch means on theimplement, a member pivoted on the implement for longitudinal rockingmovement, means connecting said hitch means and said member for rockingmovement therewith, means biasing said member to forward rockingmovement, and stop means limiting forward rocking movement of saidmember.

3. In an agricultural implement adapted for attachment to a tractor, incombination, supporting wheels on the implement, hitch means on theimplement, a bell crank pivoted on the implement for longitudinalrocking movement and having an upwardly extending arm and a downwardlyextending arm, a member adjustable in length connecting said hitch meansand the upper arm of said crank for rocking movement therewith, andresilient means connecting the lower arm of said crank and saidimplement arranged to urge said member forwardly.

4. In an agricultural implement adapted for attachment to a tractor, incombination, supporting wheels on the implement, hitch means on theimplement, a bell crank pivoted on the implement for longitudinallyrocking movement and having an upwardly extending arm and a downwardlyextending arm, a member adjustable in length connecting said hitch meansand the upper arm of said crank for rocking movement therewith,resilient means connecting the lower arm of said crank and saidimplement arranged to urge said member forwardly, and stop meansarranged to engage said lower arm to limit forward movement of saidmember.

JAMES MORKOSKI.

